Chapter 104 How it Was Back Then
"Excuse me."
Lin Chengye sheathed her sword and nodded slightly to the man. In fact, after seeing the man's appearance clearly, she already had some guesses about his identity.
A year ago, the Northern Yan prince Tuoba Nian, who was killed by Lin Daiqiao, also had this appearance.
Lin Chengye was not surprised that someone would stop them just as they were about to enter the territory of Northern Yan. After all, the battle between the half-immortals and the strange celestial phenomena would surely be reported back to Northern Yan by their spies in Lai Kingdom, and would also reach the ears of Tuoba Sui.
That was enough, enough to keep this fortune teller on edge from the second day of the second lunar month until the beginning of March. Lin Chengye also did not conceal his inner strength, using the techniques of turning stone into gold and spring breeze into rain to spread his power, serving as both a warning to the villains along the way and a test of the fortune teller from afar.
Since they were allowed to get so close to the border of Northern Yan, Tuoba Sui must still remember their past friendship.
However, Lin Chengye really didn't expect that Northern Yan would go to such lengths, sending a prince to meet with her first.
However… Lin Chengye looked the woman up and down suspiciously. Her skills were average, and she didn’t seem to have any guards following her. If he had been a little faster, the prince would probably have been beheaded.
"Ah...don't look at me like that."
The woman from Northern Yan scratched her head awkwardly.
Her eyes and brows possessed the deep, distinctive features of the people of Northern Yan, with a high, straight nose and a sharply defined jawline. Although she was somewhat disheveled under Lin Chengye's sword, it didn't prevent her curly white hair from fluttering in the cold wind, making her resemble a remarkably handsome wild wolf.
The woman seemed to know what Lin Chengye was thinking and explained.
"Actually, it was my own request. After all, you have a great reputation in the martial arts world. I was not convinced that you were ranked first on that unofficial list from the Hundred Knowledge Tea House, so I pestered my aunt to let me come..."
The woman saw that Lin Chengye only raised an eyebrow and remained silent, so she chuckled twice more.
"Haha... Okay, I admit it, I admit there's a slight difference between us..."
"Then Tuoba Sui must be nearby, right?"
Lin Chengye narrowed his eyes and gestured at his neck.
"If I hadn't stopped in time, my head and body would have separated, right?"
"Well……"
The woman shut her mouth guiltily, her light blue eyes darting around, not daring to meet Lin Chengye's gaze, nor to look in her aunt's direction.
Her aunt was skilled with a bow, and right now, the arrow was probably already on the bowstring, pointed at Lin Chengye's head.
"A-Sui is skilled with a bow and can kill people silently from a great distance."
Suddenly, a weak voice came from behind.
Lin Chengye was startled and turned around to see Bian Yi struggling to climb out of the car. The cold wind was biting, blowing across her bloodless face. Although she was wearing a thick cloak, she still looked incredibly thin.
"Cough cough... She's there, I can feel her inner strength."
Bian Yi covered her mouth and coughed twice. She pointed to the city gate in the distance, which was still blurred in the yellow sand and cold wind, with only the moon casting its light like a candle.
Lin Chengye vaguely saw a figure standing alone on the highest beacon tower of the city gate, his bow fully drawn with an arrow nocked, remaining motionless in the wind.
The figure was merely an outline, yet it evoked images of snow-capped mountains visible in the distance on a vast grassland, so powerful and majestic that the women seemed like nothing more than docile sheep at the foot of those mountains.
"You should go back first; it's windy outside."
Lin Chengye looked uneasy, frowned, and whispered.
"No, it's been too many years since I last saw Ah Sui, I'm not sure about her..."
Bian Yi shook his head, his gaze fixed on the figure, his fingers slowly resting on the Yin-Yang Twin Spring Swords at Lin Chengye's waist.
As long as she lives, she still has the strength to fight.
"Oh, no, that's not how it is. You've misunderstood."
Seeing how wary the two women were, the woman waved her hands repeatedly and spun around twice in frustration.
"It's all my fault. I shouldn't have acted so recklessly. My aunt..."
The figure in the distance vanished into the darkness.
Lin Chengye's pupils contracted, and he instantly drew his twin blades from his waist, scanning his surroundings warily. Unbeknownst to her, cold sweat was already rolling down her cheeks.
After a few breaths, she realized that someone was rushing towards them at an extremely fast speed. The person's aura and inner strength were well concealed. When Lin Chengye locked onto the direction of the person, the black robe that the person wore to cover their face descended from the sky like the wings of an eagle, and in the next moment, they were already in front of them.
In her hand lay an enormous bow, nearly half a person's height. It was pitch black, like an eternal night, forged from millennia-old driftwood and meteorite iron, dull and lusterless, with a sun pattern cast in gold on it, and the bowstring was made of three intertwined golden silkworm threads.
But unexpectedly, the man actually placed the bow on the ground and casually kicked it, sending it sliding towards Lin Chengye's feet.
Just then, the unfinished sentence of the young woman beside her was uttered.
"...Your aunt really wants to see you; she's been waiting for you for a long time."
...
Two more figures appeared in the small carriage. The two newcomers from Northern Yan were particularly robust, and the air seemed to stagnate as soon as they sat down in the carriage.
Lin Chengye wasn't used to getting too close to people whose allegiance was unclear, so he found a corner to sit down, still holding the longbow that Tuoba Sui had thrown to him.
The woman who had initially stopped Lin Chengye had already removed her night clothes, revealing garments underneath that were clearly only for nobles, made of Lai Kingdom silk and Northern Yan brocade, adorned with extravagant jewels and gold.
Seeing the oppressive atmosphere inside the car and that no one was speaking, the woman coughed lightly twice and spoke.
"...I am Tuoba Heqing, the second prince of Northern Yan. This is my aunt, Tuoba Sui."
Upon hearing this, Tuoba Sui raised his eyes and nodded slightly.
She shared many similarities with Tuoba Heqing in appearance, but she was more imposing and sharp-looking, with a taut face and her long, white curly hair pulled back, revealing her forehead. Her clothing was extremely simple, made of some kind of animal fur, adorned with wolf teeth and eagle feathers. She looked more like a hunter, displaying her most iconic trophies.
Since entering the carriage, Bian Yi and Tuoba Sui have been like two strangers. One is struggling to stay awake, while the other deliberately turns his head away, but his blue eyes are always darting around in their sockets.
Tuoba Heqing's words only made the atmosphere in the carriage more tense. She looked at Lin Chengye for help, and the latter gestured with his chin towards the carriage curtain.
Tuoba Heqing understood the man's implication and immediately followed Lin Chengye out together.
"...We're saved."
The cold wind, which was originally unpleasant, became a relief. Tuoba Heqing plopped down in front of the carriage and let out a long sigh. But she still couldn't help but look back again and again.
"Why can't you stay still for a moment?" Lin Chengye shook his head helplessly.
"Isn't it out of curiosity...? My aunt is usually a very cheerful person, but this is the first time I've ever seen her so serious. I didn't dare to say anything."
Tuoba Heqing touched his nose sheepishly and asked again.
"Sigh, then why did you call me out?"
"Using you as a hostage, in case Lord Tuoba Sui tries anything against us, I'll immediately..."
Lin Chengye glanced at her, and his hand actually reached for the blade of the sword at his waist.
How could you be like this!
Tuoba Heqing's eyes widened suddenly, and he rolled around on the bank like a slippery eel, immediately trying to escape.
"Just kidding. Give them some space. They haven't seen each other in a long time, so they probably have a lot to talk about. If the two of us are around, they'll feel uncomfortable."
Lin Chengye's fingers had just touched the hilt of the sword when she abruptly withdrew them, neatly tucking them into her bosom as if she hadn't just been teasing him. She raised the bow in her hand and said...
"Besides, since Lord Tuoba Sui has already shown such sincerity, I should trust her to some extent as well."
"...Why is your personality like this?"
To create distance, Tuoba Heqing had already half his body hanging outside the carriage. Upon hearing this, he quickly sat down and moved closer to Lin Chengye, saying with interest.
"Sigh, I thought you were the kind of upright, boring person..."
"how?"
Lin Chengye suddenly became interested. These days had been busy and painful. This was the first time in many days that her mind was free of any chaotic thoughts. The truth was out, and Bian Yi was safe with Tuoba Sui. She only needed to listen to what Tuoba Heqing had to say.
"How did people in the martial arts world spread the word about me?"
"Wow, you didn't know? When you suddenly appeared in that book of amazing stories, the once lifeless martial arts world became interesting. Everyone said, 'Finally, a new face has arrived.'"
Tuoba Heqingzhen was like someone opening the floodgates of a long river; once he started talking, he couldn't stop.
"The young master of the Divine Pivot Heavenly Mystery Sect, and later the Spring God of Mengshan City, did you know that the people there spontaneously organized a sacrifice on the day you left, named the Spring God Joyful Sacrifice? They agreed to do it every year thereafter."
Listening to Tuoba Heqing's rambling, Lin Chengye was somewhat dazed. She hadn't been in the martial world for long, but had she already left such a deep mark?
"You don't know, Ji Teng is actually quite interested in you too. She's been at the top of the list for too long and is getting bored. Guan Yuenan isn't good enough for her. She says it's time for her to have a new rival..."
Ji Teng? Lin Chengye was stunned for a moment, then suddenly remembered that this person was the number one in the Yunya Yitian Ranking, nominally the number one person below the Half-Immortal.
She had never imagined that she would one day catch this person's eye. The world of martial arts and being the best in the world were things that seemed so far removed from her. Yet now, she had met quite a few people, and after traveling around, she had actually gotten to know almost all the pillars of the nation's future.
If this trip ends, it seems... she really can have a place in the martial arts world. Lin Chengye was somewhat stunned.
The sky and land of Northern Yan were vast and open, seemingly stretching to the farthest reaches of the earth. Their carriage traveled slowly, and before they knew it, they had reached the horizon at the first light of dawn. The enormous sun slowly rose from behind the city walls, showering them with golden rain.
It seems that her future is also like that, stretching out for a very long time, and everything is only just beginning.
"I said, do you have an older or younger sister named Tuoba Haiyan?"
Lin Chengye suddenly thought of something and tilted his head to ask.
"How do you know? That's my elder sister! She's the Left Wise King of Northern Yan! In your Lai Kingdom's terms, she's the Crown Prince!"
Tuoba Heqing's eyes widened, but her words were full of pride, clearly indicating that Tuoba Haiyan was exceptionally powerful in her eyes.
Lin Chengye wanted to laugh, so she shrugged and said...
I guessed.
"Oh right, what was that move you just used on me called? And can I borrow your weapon to play with? I promise I'll be careful..."
...
The conversation between the two teenagers reached Tuoba Sui and Bian Yi through the carriage, every word of which seemed to have endless things to say.
"Pfft, cough cough cough..."
Bian Yi suddenly chuckled softly, seemingly lost in thought. But this aggravated her wound, causing her to cough in pain.
Tuoba Sui finally seemed to turn around, nervously walked to Bian Yi's side, placed his hand on her back, and channeled his inner energy into her. Her tense expression relaxed. She smiled and said...
"...Just like us back then."
"yes."
At that time, everything was new and exciting. They were each adventuring in their own world, and the world was so vast, yet they happened to meet, and then, because of Tuoba Sui's outspokenness, they inexplicably got into a fight.
Bian Yi, who had just come down from Qingluan Medicine Valley, was boasting in the teahouse, patting his chest and guaranteeing his superb medical skills. Although few people present believed him, no one would bother arguing with a child.
But it's not necessarily the case for children of similar age.
Tuoba Sui snorted coldly and blurted out, "Arrogant madman." Bian Yi was furious. He drew his sword and chased Tuoba Sui from the east to the west of the city, throwing several more punches at him until Tuoba Sui cried out for his mother.
As the saying goes, "No fight, no friendship," so after Tuoba Sui apologized, Bian Yi angrily went to heal the bruises he had sustained from the beating.
And just like that, the two inexplicably became friends.
The heavy drowsiness was largely dispelled by Tuoba Sui's warm internal energy. Bian Yi recalled the past, those scenes as if they were plated with a thin layer of gold, warm and gentle.
She heard someone's voice cautiously approaching from behind.
“Bian Yi, back then, I...didn't mean to leave without saying goodbye.”
Author's Note: I feel like we can start the countdown to the end. [Get Rich]
This is the last place where Lin Chengye formed a connection with someone, and also the last unresolved knot in Bian Yi's heart from the past. [Purple Heart]
Finally, thank you for subscribing and supporting us!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
